Here are some FAQs and how the Geneva team have tried to answer them:
- What is The Geneva Push?
- The Geneva push is a church planting network. We're aiming to assist church planting in two ways: to help recruit, assess, train and support church planters, as they get things started; and also to work with existing networks, churches, denomination around the country to help us cooperate in reaching Australia for the gospel. We'll offer support for existing networks and Geneva Push planters will be able to work with these other networks or denominations as they choose.
- Who will The Geneva Push appeal to?
- Men who know they're in for a massive challenge in planting a new church. They will recognise there is much to be gain by hooking up with a bunch of other young men going through the exact same pain, as well as connecting with a crowd of older men who are a few years down the track and know what mistakes to avoid and what things to do to really build healthy churches that are 'grounded' and 'growing'. The Geneva Push should also appeal to men who see they can give as well as get. As a group we can do much more than we can alone. We hope The Geneva Push will build a network of planters who will multiply more planters.
- What does the 'Geneva' refer to?
- The Geneva Push is named after the city where Calvin did most of his ministry. He raised up hundreds of missionaries and church planters to other cities and countries. The Geneva Push aims to be a network of networks. It will help recruit, assess, train, and resource church planters in cooperation with other like minded people around the nation. We can do more working together than in competition.
- What will its relationship be to the Sydney Diocese? Is it really just an Anglican thing?
- No it's not just an Anglican thing. The first step The Geneva Push has taken to ensure this was to organise a meeting of 23 key men in church planting from around the country to take part in a National Church Planter's Summit in September 2009. It included representatives from The Church Army, The Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches, Church Planting Australia, The Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students, The Ministry Training Strategy and Moore Theological College, as well as key Anglicans, Presbyterians, Baptists, Reformed Church and Independent pastors from Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, New South Wales and the ACT. We're also keen to work with other Reformed Evangelical people. The Sydney Diocese will be one of the players, but it's wider than just the Anglicans.
- How crucial is a national approach to church planting – why not let local areas develop local solutions?
- A national movement gives a big vision, and this has a profound influence on local ministry. A national movement also provides easy access to ideas and leaders around the country, which is both humbling and empowering. Finally, and in some ways, least importantly, a national movement can provide some resources that are difficult for more local things to put together.
- Crossing state and denominational boundaries, TPG is clearly going to have a diverse membership. What will hold it together – practically? Spiritually?
- A strong doctrinal statement, humility, a desire for fellowship, wise and gentle leadership, mutual regard, a generally shared philosophy of ministry and God the Holy Spirit. Practically speaking, The Geneva Push will provide mentors for assessed church planters, a well-resourced online community, regular training days and national conferences.
- There are other church planting networks in Australia. What will stop church planting becoming the new battlefield for Christian groups?
- Christians fight when are just sitting around with nothing constructive to do. Groups that look inward end up fighting with each other. The best way to stop Christians fighting with each other over church planting is to get them passionate about mission, and busy with that. When you've looking outward you don't fight with one another. When it comes to mission, the vast majority of Australians remain unreached. The Geneva Push is ready to get on with the mission, cooperate with like minded people as we are able, and not fight with people who believe the same things as us.
- What steps have you taken to make sure that it is a body of use to every denomination?
- The best kind of church planting happens from the ground up - young men who are keen to just go for it. But The Geneva Push is working hard to back that energy with the support of some great denominational structures and leaders from around the country. We will be offering things deliberately aimed at assessment and ministry coaching, we won't be dealing with denominational stuff like setting salaries and superannuation etc. We'll work together to put on training events, organise mentoring, providing practical resources and an accessible, supportive community. We'll also have a job market available so that members and advertise job positions or jobs wanted.
